AU fic: Without you... (17/20)
TITLE: Without you…
AUTHOR: sapphicwarrior
PAIRING: Callie/Erica
RATING: NC-1. warning: there is domestic abuse in this story!
DISCLAIMER: All television shows, movies, books, and other copyrighted material referred to in this work, and the characters, settings, and events thereof, are the properties of their respective owners. As this work is an interpretation of the original material and not for-profit, it constitutes fair use. Reference to real persons, places, or events are made in a fictional context, and are not intended to be libellous, defamatory, or in any way factual.
SUMMARY: This is AU, it’s been in my head for a while. A famous singer falls in love with a woman. It’s a love that is looked upon and has to happen secretly until something happens…
BETA: Thanks for my wonderful beta mar_chel !!
AUTHOR'S NOTE: Callie and Erica have their first date. Hope you enjoy this update.
Links to previous parts:
part 1: sapphicwarrior.livejournal.com/35601.html
part 2: sapphicwarrior.livejournal.com/36180.html
part 3: sapphicwarrior.livejournal.com/36754.html
part 4: sapphicwarrior.livejournal.com/37565.html
part 5: sapphicwarrior.livejournal.com/38211.html
part 6: sapphicwarrior.livejournal.com/39663.html
part 7: sapphicwarrior.livejournal.com/40086.html
part 8: sapphicwarrior.livejournal.com/40970.html
part 9: sapphicwarrior.livejournal.com/41401.html
part 10: sapphicwarrior.livejournal.com/42314.html
part 11: sapphicwarrior.livejournal.com/42829.html
part 12: sapphicwarrior.livejournal.com/43757.html
part 13: sapphicwarrior.livejournal.com/44617.html
part 14: sapphicwarrior.livejournal.com/46779.html
part 15: sapphicwarrior.livejournal.com/47260.html
part 16: sapphicwarrior.livejournal.com/48005.html
NEW PART:
The next morning found the whole group on their way to the Nokia Theatre at Times Square. They would check out the theatre and do some sound checking.
“Have you ever been in New York City, Erica?” Carlos asked.
“Yes, I have. I love the city actually. They call it ‘the city that never sleeps’ and that’s so true. I lived here for a couple of years when I was young”, Erica told him. She had lived in NYC with her sister for some years. She had loved every minute of it. She loved the weather in LA, but she loved New York more.
“I had forgotten, but you have a sister here”, Callie excitedly said. “Maybe you should go and see her while you are here.”
“I can’t, she’s out of town, medical convention or something”, Erica quickly said. The thought had crossed her mind to visit Simone, but she had quickly forgotten about it. It was too dangerous to blow her cover. She’d have to visit her sister another time.
“That’s a shame.”
“I know.”
“Have you ever been to the Nokia Theatre?” Carlos asked.
“On Times Square? Yes, I saw a concert there the last time I was here. It’s a great theatre, perfect for Callie’s show.”
“I know, that’s why I’m so glad it worked out to book the theatre.”
Callie had never been there, so she was very curious to see it.
“Wow, Carlos, this theatre is magnificent!” Callie said to her manager. “I love it. It’s going to be so great to perform here.”
Callie was in total awe. The theatre wasn’t too big, but not too small either. It was just perfect for her show. She couldn’t wait until her first concert.
Carlos had gone to check on several technical issues, so she was left alone with Erica to check out the dressing room.
“This looks more like a lounge than a dressing room”, Callie commented.
“I know, it’s beautiful though.”
The dressing room was dimly lit. There was a leather couch in the middle. A flat screen adorned one wall, while another side of the room was filled with drinks and several snacks. There was even a game console in a corner.
“It’s impressive, Cal.”
“I know. It’s going to be great performing here, I can hardly wait.”
They stayed at the theatre until late afternoon, checking everything out and doing some small rehearsals.
“Well, I think that’s it for today. Get some rest this evening, Calliope, because tomorrow is a busy day. Don’t forget that in two days you’re on ABC’s show ‘Good Morning’.”
“I hate morning shows, Carlos, I’ll barely be awake”, Callie complained.
“I know you don’t like them, Calliope, but it’s very good promotion for your new album.”
“I know. What time is the first interview scheduled tomorrow?”
“At 10am, it’s with People Magazine. You’re lucky, it’s in the hotel. I’ll come to your room a few minutes before. Make sure you are ready, Calliope. You have a tight schedule tomorrow, so if you start too late…”
“I know, the whole schedule is ruined.”
“I’ll make sure she’s on time, Carlos”, Erica added.
“Thanks, Erica. Enjoy the rest of the day, ladies, I’ll see you tomorrow morning.”
They got back at the hotel around 5pm.
“That took longer than I had expected”, Callie said once inside the room. “I thought we’d be finished around 2pm.”
“Do you have any plans for this evening?” Erica shyly asked. This afternoon she had remembered a great little restaurant she wanted to take Callie.
“Yes”, Callie said.
“Oh.”
“I have plans with you, silly. Who else would I want to spend my evening with?”
“Oh… I don’t know.”
“Did you have something in mind to do?”
“Would you like to have dinner with me? I know this great little, romantic restaurant, it’s very secluded, so I don’t think we have to worry about any paparazzi there.”
“I’d love to have dinner with you, Erica Hahn. This almost sounds like a date. Is this a date?”
“If you want it to be…”, Erica softly said.
“This is not good, Erica, why are you asking her on a date? This would only complicate the situation even more”, a voice in her head said.
“Yes, but you know there is a chance she’ll still want to be with you when she finds out about who you are”, another voice said.
“Don’t do this, Erica, it will get too complicated. Don’t lead her on. She’ll end up broken and so will you”, the first voice said.
“Oh shut up”, the second voice said. “Let her enjoy some romantic time with Callie. You are always being so dramatic.”
“Shut up”, Erica shouted.
“Shut up?” Callie was confused.
“Sorry… it’s nothing… just talking to myself”, she rambled.
“So, is this a date, Erica? Because I want it to be a date”, Callie softly said.
“No.”
“Yes.”
“Yes.”
*************************************************************************
They had agreed to meet at 7:30pm. Erica had made reservations at 8pm. The restaurant wasn’t that far from their hotel.
Even though she should feel guilty for agreeing to go on a date with Callie, she wasn’t. It had been a while since she had actually been on a date, and though she knew it would only complicate things more, she planned to thoroughly enjoy the evening. It might be the only date with Callie she’d get. She felt like a teenager again. She had already tried out several outfits, but she didn’t really bring any “dating clothes” with her, so she didn’t really know what to wear. And she wanted to look nice for Callie.
In the room next to her, Callie had also tried on every outfit she had brought and none could convince her to wear it on her date with Erica. She had gone out to dinner plenty times with Erica, but this was their first date and she wanted to look nice. She had never been on a date with a woman, but she figured it wasn’t much different from a date with a man.
At 7:30pm Erica knocked on Callie’s door. She had finally decided on black trousers that fit her perfectly and a blue blouse that matched the colour of her eyes perfectly.
Callie had picked out a black dress that just reached her knees. It was simple, but she loved the dress. She was wearing a simple necklace as the only accessory.
They stood looking speechless at each other. Neither knew what to say to each other. Even though they had gone out for dinner several times, this time it felt different because they had used the word “date”. They were going on a date and somehow that made them feel completely different.
“You ready to go?” Erica said when she finally found her voice back.
“Yes, I’ll just grab my purse.”
The ride to the restaurant was quiet, but it wasn’t awkward or uncomfortable. Both were savouring the beauty of the other.
“We’re here”, Erica said when she stopped the car in a quiet area of New York. “The restaurant is a bit further down the street.”
When they got out of the car, Callie hesitated to take Erica’s hand in hers, but she decided against it. Together they walked the short distance to the restaurant.
“What kind of restaurant is it, Erica?” Callie broke the silence between them.
“It’s a quiet Japanese restaurant. I discovered it when I lived here. The food is wonderful. It’s not really known with any tourists, only New Yorkers know about it.”
“I’ve never eaten Japanese.”
“You’ll love it. And Japanese food isn’t just sushi you know, they have plenty of other things to eat too.”
The entrance to the restaurant was secluded between two shops. They entered and the smell of delicious food made their stomach grumble. A waiter brought them to a reserved table in the furthest corner of the restaurant.
Callie looked around. Erica hadn’t been joking when she had told her the restaurant was small and very secluded. There was only room for 20 people. The restaurant was nicely decorated, not too kitsch. Candles were lit everywhere and there were a few Japanese decorations.
“It’s beautiful here”, Callie said.
“I know.”
A waiter came to take their orders. It took Callie quite some time to figure out what she wanted to eat. Luckily Erica helped her a bit with the choice.
“You’re beautiful, Erica”, Callie softly said while taking a sip of her wine. She had never seen Erica shine so much as this evening. She was actually glowing and even if she had shown up in torn clothes, Callie would have found her beautiful.
Erica felt herself blush under Callie’s compliment. “Thanks”, she almost whispered.
Callie put her hand over Erica’s. “Don’t blush, Erica, it’s true. For me you are the most beautiful woman in the world.”
Erica felt her head getting even redder, she was sure it was going to explode any minute now if Callie kept giving her these compliments. Luckily the waiter came back that moment with their order so Erica could get the colour in her face back to normal.
“This is delicious, Erica”, Callie commented after a few bites.
“I’m glad you like it. I came here quite often when I lived here.”
They continued their meal in silence. Now and then Erica would look up and look at the beauty sitting in front of her. She wondered what Callie saw in her. She didn’t find herself very beautiful, she thought of herself as someone plain, nothing special. So what did a beautiful Latina woman see in her? A Latina woman who could have anyone she wanted, but who only wanted her? Callie was beautiful, famous, rich. She was just Erica, plain and not rich. And still Callie wanted her.
Erica heard her name being called out.
“Erica, you okay? You seemed lost in thought”, Callie asked.
“I’m fine. I was just wondering what you see in me. I mean, you’re a famous singer, you’re beautiful, you could have anyone you want and yet, you picked me”, Erica wondered out loud.
“What I see in you? You have the most beautiful blue eyes I’ve ever seen. When you are happy, they get even bluer; but when you are sad or angry they get very dark blue. When you smile, your whole face lights up. I love your blond curly hair, it bounces when you walk and it lightens up when the sun shines on it. You are so considerate. You’re always asking me how I am feeling and comforting me, even when you yourself are feeling down.” Callie looked at Erica. She was blushing furiously. “I can go on like this for a while, Erica.”
“I’m not used to beautiful women like you noticing me.”
“Well, you’d better get used to it, Erica, because I am noticing you very much”, Callie said in a sexy voice.
Erica had just taken a sip of her wine and Callie’s comment made her take another big gulp, but suddenly she coughed out.
“Sorry… wrong hole…”, Erica managed to croak out between coughs.
“Relax, baby, unless you want me to give you mouth to mouth”, Callie innocently said.
After a while Erica’s coughing subsided and she asked for the check. She paid the bill and together they walked out of the restaurant. Once outside, Callie put her arm through Erica’s and pulled her closer.
“Are you okay? That was some pretty heavy coughing you did back there.”
“I’m fine, just a bit hot.”
Just as Erica said the word “hot”, she realized how her sentence could be interpreted.
“Hot?” Callie purred sexily in Erica’s ear. “Me too. You know, we should do something about that. It’s not good to be too hot.” She gently licked Erica’s earlobe.
“Callie”, Erica tried to say sternly, but failing miserably. It came out more as a moan. “Don’t… we can’t…”
“Relax, baby, I’m not going to take you on the streets. The paparazzi would have a field day with that. I can wait until we reach the hotel. Can you?”
Erica could only nod. No matter how hard she tried, she couldn’t resist Callie. Callie was her drug, her addiction and the more she tried to stay away from her, the more she wanted her.
They got to her car, got in and Erica drove to the hotel. Suddenly she felt Callie’s hand on her thigh, slightly stroking her inner thigh. She felt herself getting more aroused by the second.
“Cal, I have to concentrate on the road and it’s hard when you are doing… this”, she managed to croak out.
“Sorry.”
Finally they got to the hotel. Erica quickly parked the car. Callie rushed her to the elevator and pushed the right button. When the doors closed Callie pushed Erica against the wall and started kissing her feverishly. Erica could only kiss her back. Her heart had completely taken over her mind; the coup was over and done with. Her heart had won and her mind was out of the picture. Her mind could only listen to the commands of her heart and her heart only wanted Callie. A bell signalled they had arrived to their floor. They let go of each other. Callie quickly opened the door to her room and pulled Erica inside. The door was barely closed when she kissed her again. Clothes were torn from each other and soon they were naked on the bed, kissing each other passionately and making love. That night moans and cries of passion could be heard from Callie’s room.
The next morning Erica woke up a few minutes before they had to get up. She looked at the beauty lying next to her. She could wake up to this beautiful sight every morning for the rest of her life. She decided to enjoy these last minutes of quietness with Callie and snuggled closer to her. Just when she was about to fall asleep again, her cell phone woke them both up.
“Hey, beautiful”, she greeted the Latina woman.
Callie turned around and kissed her good morning.
“Hey”, Callie smiled.
“We have to get up, I promised Carlos you’d be on time for the first interview.”
“I know”, Callie groaned, “but can we just lay like this for a few more minutes before dashing outside into the madness that awaits me? I just want to enjoy you for a few minutes more.”
Erica’s answer to Callie’s question was to pull her closer and kiss her deeply. They stayed cuddled up for a little while longer.
“We really have to get up now”, Erica said.
“You’re right.”
They got up and got ready to face a day filled with interviews and photo shoots. After breakfast they met Carlos downstairs, in front of the conference room where the interviews would take place.
“Calliope, Erica, just on time. How are you? You slept well?” Carlos asked his two favourite ladies.
“We’re great, Carlos”, Callie smiled to her friend. Even though she had barely slept a few hours last night, she felt great. Making love to Erica half the night was definitely worth doing again, she mused.
Carlos looked at his friend. He hadn’t seen her smile like this in a long time. Her eyes were twinkling and she seemed genuinely happy again. Whatever had happened to her, it was good, he thought.
“Ready, Calliope?”
“As ready as I can be, I guess. The sooner I start, the quicker it will be over for today.”
Callie spent the rest of the day being interviewed by various magazines. She only took a short lunch break. Finally the last journalist had left.
“God, I thought the interviews would never end”, Callie groaned when the last journalist had left. She took a sip of her water. All the interviews had given her a sore throat. She looked over to the corner Erica was standing. It had been incredibly hard to stay focused on what the journalists were asking with Erica nearby. She was tempted to look at her all the time. She couldn’t wait until they were up in her room so that she could finally kiss her.
“You did well, Calliope. Tomorrow we have to be at the studio at 7am”, Carlos said.
“7am, Carlos?” Callie exclaimed.
“Yes, it is a morning show, you can’t show up at noon for a morning show. You’re lucky the studio is close to the hotel so we’ll meet in the lobby at 6:30am. Be ready and don’t be late.”
“No, Chief, I’ll be on time, Chief”, Callie joked. “I’ll see you tomorrow, Carlos.”
Carlos left the conference room. Callie looked over at Erica.
“Finally all these interviews are over.” Callie got up and went to Erica. “I missed you, even if you were standing only a few inches away from me.” She stopped just in front of Erica. Her heart started beating faster. She could only see Erica’s lips calling out to her “kiss me, kiss me”. Slowly she closed the distance between them and gave her a gentle kiss on her lips. “I’ve been wanting to do that since this morning.”
“Me too”, Erica answered, “but wouldn’t it be better if we continued this in our room? It wouldn’t look good if we’d get caught kissing in here.”
“You’re right.”
They didn’t leave their room that evening. They spent the evening further exploring each other’s body.
The next days were filled with more interviews for television and radio shows. Callie was starting to get very bored and she couldn’t wait until her first concert. That’s what she was here for, to sing, not to give endless interviews with always the same questions being asked.
Tomorrow she had a day off and she planned to fully enjoy it: sleeping in, doing a romantic walk with Erica, going shopping a bit. These last days with Erica had been wonderful. For the first time in her adult life, she felt at ease in a relationship. She didn’t have to pretend to be someone she wasn’t. She could just be herself, Erica didn’t judge her. The first thing she’d do when she was back in LA, was to break things up with Jason. She didn’t care what he threatened her with, but she loved Erica and not him. Erica was the one she wanted, the one whose touch she craved, the one she wanted to wake up to every morning. Maybe Erica was the one…
The next day found the two lovers curled up in bed together. They hadn’t spent a night apart since their date a couple of nights ago. They cherished the moments they could spend together. When they were in each other’s company, they forgot the world around them and only saw one another. It was love in its purest form.
Erica had stopped analyzing and fighting her feelings for Callie. She had tried to block out her feelings, but the more she tried doing that, the more she was drawn to Callie. So she simply gave up and welcomed Callie’s love with open arms. She figured she could deal with the consequences later if necessary.
“So, gorgeous, what do you want to do today? It’s your day off”, Erica asked her Latina lover.
“Stay in bed and make love to you all day?” Callie said while snuggling closer to Erica.
“We’ve been doing that these last evenings. Maybe we could get some fresh air. I can show you some nice spots, be your private tour guide”, Erica suggested.
“I like that, you being my private tour guide…” Callie smirked.
After they got dressed and had a late breakfast, they left the hotel. The weather was sunny and cold, so the perfect weather to put on a hat and sunglasses as a disguise. Callie didn’t want to be bothered by any paparazzi. Today she just wanted to be Callie and enjoy a day out with her girlfriend. For just one day she wished she wasn’t famous so that she and Erica could be like any other couple and hold hands and cuddle and kiss and do romantic things. But they couldn’t, not until Callie had broken things off with Jason. So they settled for walking closely together and holding arms now and then.
Erica showed Callie some of her favourite places in the city. Callie marvelled at all the hidden beauty Erica showed her. She had no idea New York was this beautiful. They ended the day with a romantic dinner. For both of them it had been a perfect day, a day they didn’t want to end. They had been able to escape the complexity of real life.
The ringing of Erica’s phone brought real life back to them. Erica flipped open her phone.
“Damn it”, she cursed. “Sorry, Cal, I have to take this call. I’ll be right back.” Erica excused herself.
“Agent Darnett, good evening”, she greeted her colleague. If he called, it must be that something had happened with Jason. She felt a knot forming in her stomach. And mostly that feeling didn’t bring any good.
“Agent Hahn, good evening. I’m calling concerning Jason Taylor. There’s been a development.”
“A development?” “Shit.”
“Yes. Like you predicted he went to Mexico again. He got in touch with Rodríguez himself, so I think they closed the deal and Jason is now working for them. Two of my agents followed him from a distance back to the States. Again like you predicted, he tried to break into Ms. Torres’ house, but they could prevent that without revealing themselves. They also watched a deal between Jason and some other smaller dealers. He’s probably one of the main suppliers now here in LA because of his connection to Rodríguez.”
“Damn it. Continue to follow him around and call me back if something happens. I’ll try to come back as soon as possible. I can’t just leave here, Callie might get suspicious. Thanks for updating me”, Erica said.
“Sure, no problem Agent Hahn.”
Erica put down her phone. The situation was getting out of hand fast. She’d have to make her move the moment she was back in LA, if it already wasn’t too late by then. Erica tried to calm herself before going back to Callie. Callie couldn’t know something was wrong.
“You okay?” Callie asked when Erica was back.
“Yes”, she lied, “just a phone call from an old colleague, nothing to worry about.”
She kissed Callie. “Let’s go to bed, you have a big day tomorrow, your last rehearsal before the show.”
“I know, I’m so excited, but a bit nervous as well too”, Callie confessed.
“You’ll do great, Cal.” She pulled Callie closer and soon they dozed off to sleep curled up together.
AUTHOR: sapphicwarrior
PAIRING: Callie/Erica
RATING: NC-1. warning: there is domestic abuse in this story!
DISCLAIMER: All television shows, movies, books, and other copyrighted material referred to in this work, and the characters, settings, and events thereof, are the properties of their respective owners. As this work is an interpretation of the original material and not for-profit, it constitutes fair use. Reference to real persons, places, or events are made in a fictional context, and are not intended to be libellous, defamatory, or in any way factual.
SUMMARY: This is AU, it’s been in my head for a while. A famous singer falls in love with a woman. It’s a love that is looked upon and has to happen secretly until something happens…
BETA: Thanks for my wonderful beta mar_chel !!
AUTHOR'S NOTE: Callie and Erica have their first date. Hope you enjoy this update.
Links to previous parts:
part 1: sapphicwarrior.livejournal.com/35601.html
part 2: sapphicwarrior.livejournal.com/36180.html
part 3: sapphicwarrior.livejournal.com/36754.html
part 4: sapphicwarrior.livejournal.com/37565.html
part 5: sapphicwarrior.livejournal.com/38211.html
part 6: sapphicwarrior.livejournal.com/39663.html
part 7: sapphicwarrior.livejournal.com/40086.html
part 8: sapphicwarrior.livejournal.com/40970.html
part 9: sapphicwarrior.livejournal.com/41401.html
part 10: sapphicwarrior.livejournal.com/42314.html
part 11: sapphicwarrior.livejournal.com/42829.html
part 12: sapphicwarrior.livejournal.com/43757.html
part 13: sapphicwarrior.livejournal.com/44617.html
part 14: sapphicwarrior.livejournal.com/46779.html
part 15: sapphicwarrior.livejournal.com/47260.html
part 16: sapphicwarrior.livejournal.com/48005.html
NEW PART:
The next morning found the whole group on their way to the Nokia Theatre at Times Square. They would check out the theatre and do some sound checking.
“Have you ever been in New York City, Erica?” Carlos asked.
“Yes, I have. I love the city actually. They call it ‘the city that never sleeps’ and that’s so true. I lived here for a couple of years when I was young”, Erica told him. She had lived in NYC with her sister for some years. She had loved every minute of it. She loved the weather in LA, but she loved New York more.
“I had forgotten, but you have a sister here”, Callie excitedly said. “Maybe you should go and see her while you are here.”
“I can’t, she’s out of town, medical convention or something”, Erica quickly said. The thought had crossed her mind to visit Simone, but she had quickly forgotten about it. It was too dangerous to blow her cover. She’d have to visit her sister another time.
“That’s a shame.”
“I know.”
“Have you ever been to the Nokia Theatre?” Carlos asked.
“On Times Square? Yes, I saw a concert there the last time I was here. It’s a great theatre, perfect for Callie’s show.”
“I know, that’s why I’m so glad it worked out to book the theatre.”
Callie had never been there, so she was very curious to see it.
“Wow, Carlos, this theatre is magnificent!” Callie said to her manager. “I love it. It’s going to be so great to perform here.”
Callie was in total awe. The theatre wasn’t too big, but not too small either. It was just perfect for her show. She couldn’t wait until her first concert.
Carlos had gone to check on several technical issues, so she was left alone with Erica to check out the dressing room.
“This looks more like a lounge than a dressing room”, Callie commented.
“I know, it’s beautiful though.”
The dressing room was dimly lit. There was a leather couch in the middle. A flat screen adorned one wall, while another side of the room was filled with drinks and several snacks. There was even a game console in a corner.
“It’s impressive, Cal.”
“I know. It’s going to be great performing here, I can hardly wait.”
They stayed at the theatre until late afternoon, checking everything out and doing some small rehearsals.
“Well, I think that’s it for today. Get some rest this evening, Calliope, because tomorrow is a busy day. Don’t forget that in two days you’re on ABC’s show ‘Good Morning’.”
“I hate morning shows, Carlos, I’ll barely be awake”, Callie complained.
“I know you don’t like them, Calliope, but it’s very good promotion for your new album.”
“I know. What time is the first interview scheduled tomorrow?”
“At 10am, it’s with People Magazine. You’re lucky, it’s in the hotel. I’ll come to your room a few minutes before. Make sure you are ready, Calliope. You have a tight schedule tomorrow, so if you start too late…”
“I know, the whole schedule is ruined.”
“I’ll make sure she’s on time, Carlos”, Erica added.
“Thanks, Erica. Enjoy the rest of the day, ladies, I’ll see you tomorrow morning.”
They got back at the hotel around 5pm.
“That took longer than I had expected”, Callie said once inside the room. “I thought we’d be finished around 2pm.”
“Do you have any plans for this evening?” Erica shyly asked. This afternoon she had remembered a great little restaurant she wanted to take Callie.
“Yes”, Callie said.
“Oh.”
“I have plans with you, silly. Who else would I want to spend my evening with?”
“Oh… I don’t know.”
“Did you have something in mind to do?”
“Would you like to have dinner with me? I know this great little, romantic restaurant, it’s very secluded, so I don’t think we have to worry about any paparazzi there.”
“I’d love to have dinner with you, Erica Hahn. This almost sounds like a date. Is this a date?”
“If you want it to be…”, Erica softly said.
“This is not good, Erica, why are you asking her on a date? This would only complicate the situation even more”, a voice in her head said.
“Yes, but you know there is a chance she’ll still want to be with you when she finds out about who you are”, another voice said.
“Don’t do this, Erica, it will get too complicated. Don’t lead her on. She’ll end up broken and so will you”, the first voice said.
“Oh shut up”, the second voice said. “Let her enjoy some romantic time with Callie. You are always being so dramatic.”
“Shut up”, Erica shouted.
“Shut up?” Callie was confused.
“Sorry… it’s nothing… just talking to myself”, she rambled.
“So, is this a date, Erica? Because I want it to be a date”, Callie softly said.
“No.”
“Yes.”
“Yes.”
*************************************************************************
They had agreed to meet at 7:30pm. Erica had made reservations at 8pm. The restaurant wasn’t that far from their hotel.
Even though she should feel guilty for agreeing to go on a date with Callie, she wasn’t. It had been a while since she had actually been on a date, and though she knew it would only complicate things more, she planned to thoroughly enjoy the evening. It might be the only date with Callie she’d get. She felt like a teenager again. She had already tried out several outfits, but she didn’t really bring any “dating clothes” with her, so she didn’t really know what to wear. And she wanted to look nice for Callie.
In the room next to her, Callie had also tried on every outfit she had brought and none could convince her to wear it on her date with Erica. She had gone out to dinner plenty times with Erica, but this was their first date and she wanted to look nice. She had never been on a date with a woman, but she figured it wasn’t much different from a date with a man.
At 7:30pm Erica knocked on Callie’s door. She had finally decided on black trousers that fit her perfectly and a blue blouse that matched the colour of her eyes perfectly.
Callie had picked out a black dress that just reached her knees. It was simple, but she loved the dress. She was wearing a simple necklace as the only accessory.
They stood looking speechless at each other. Neither knew what to say to each other. Even though they had gone out for dinner several times, this time it felt different because they had used the word “date”. They were going on a date and somehow that made them feel completely different.
“You ready to go?” Erica said when she finally found her voice back.
“Yes, I’ll just grab my purse.”
The ride to the restaurant was quiet, but it wasn’t awkward or uncomfortable. Both were savouring the beauty of the other.
“We’re here”, Erica said when she stopped the car in a quiet area of New York. “The restaurant is a bit further down the street.”
When they got out of the car, Callie hesitated to take Erica’s hand in hers, but she decided against it. Together they walked the short distance to the restaurant.
“What kind of restaurant is it, Erica?” Callie broke the silence between them.
“It’s a quiet Japanese restaurant. I discovered it when I lived here. The food is wonderful. It’s not really known with any tourists, only New Yorkers know about it.”
“I’ve never eaten Japanese.”
“You’ll love it. And Japanese food isn’t just sushi you know, they have plenty of other things to eat too.”
The entrance to the restaurant was secluded between two shops. They entered and the smell of delicious food made their stomach grumble. A waiter brought them to a reserved table in the furthest corner of the restaurant.
Callie looked around. Erica hadn’t been joking when she had told her the restaurant was small and very secluded. There was only room for 20 people. The restaurant was nicely decorated, not too kitsch. Candles were lit everywhere and there were a few Japanese decorations.
“It’s beautiful here”, Callie said.
“I know.”
A waiter came to take their orders. It took Callie quite some time to figure out what she wanted to eat. Luckily Erica helped her a bit with the choice.
“You’re beautiful, Erica”, Callie softly said while taking a sip of her wine. She had never seen Erica shine so much as this evening. She was actually glowing and even if she had shown up in torn clothes, Callie would have found her beautiful.
Erica felt herself blush under Callie’s compliment. “Thanks”, she almost whispered.
Callie put her hand over Erica’s. “Don’t blush, Erica, it’s true. For me you are the most beautiful woman in the world.”
Erica felt her head getting even redder, she was sure it was going to explode any minute now if Callie kept giving her these compliments. Luckily the waiter came back that moment with their order so Erica could get the colour in her face back to normal.
“This is delicious, Erica”, Callie commented after a few bites.
“I’m glad you like it. I came here quite often when I lived here.”
They continued their meal in silence. Now and then Erica would look up and look at the beauty sitting in front of her. She wondered what Callie saw in her. She didn’t find herself very beautiful, she thought of herself as someone plain, nothing special. So what did a beautiful Latina woman see in her? A Latina woman who could have anyone she wanted, but who only wanted her? Callie was beautiful, famous, rich. She was just Erica, plain and not rich. And still Callie wanted her.
Erica heard her name being called out.
“Erica, you okay? You seemed lost in thought”, Callie asked.
“I’m fine. I was just wondering what you see in me. I mean, you’re a famous singer, you’re beautiful, you could have anyone you want and yet, you picked me”, Erica wondered out loud.
“What I see in you? You have the most beautiful blue eyes I’ve ever seen. When you are happy, they get even bluer; but when you are sad or angry they get very dark blue. When you smile, your whole face lights up. I love your blond curly hair, it bounces when you walk and it lightens up when the sun shines on it. You are so considerate. You’re always asking me how I am feeling and comforting me, even when you yourself are feeling down.” Callie looked at Erica. She was blushing furiously. “I can go on like this for a while, Erica.”
“I’m not used to beautiful women like you noticing me.”
“Well, you’d better get used to it, Erica, because I am noticing you very much”, Callie said in a sexy voice.
Erica had just taken a sip of her wine and Callie’s comment made her take another big gulp, but suddenly she coughed out.
“Sorry… wrong hole…”, Erica managed to croak out between coughs.
“Relax, baby, unless you want me to give you mouth to mouth”, Callie innocently said.
After a while Erica’s coughing subsided and she asked for the check. She paid the bill and together they walked out of the restaurant. Once outside, Callie put her arm through Erica’s and pulled her closer.
“Are you okay? That was some pretty heavy coughing you did back there.”
“I’m fine, just a bit hot.”
Just as Erica said the word “hot”, she realized how her sentence could be interpreted.
“Hot?” Callie purred sexily in Erica’s ear. “Me too. You know, we should do something about that. It’s not good to be too hot.” She gently licked Erica’s earlobe.
“Callie”, Erica tried to say sternly, but failing miserably. It came out more as a moan. “Don’t… we can’t…”
“Relax, baby, I’m not going to take you on the streets. The paparazzi would have a field day with that. I can wait until we reach the hotel. Can you?”
Erica could only nod. No matter how hard she tried, she couldn’t resist Callie. Callie was her drug, her addiction and the more she tried to stay away from her, the more she wanted her.
They got to her car, got in and Erica drove to the hotel. Suddenly she felt Callie’s hand on her thigh, slightly stroking her inner thigh. She felt herself getting more aroused by the second.
“Cal, I have to concentrate on the road and it’s hard when you are doing… this”, she managed to croak out.
“Sorry.”
Finally they got to the hotel. Erica quickly parked the car. Callie rushed her to the elevator and pushed the right button. When the doors closed Callie pushed Erica against the wall and started kissing her feverishly. Erica could only kiss her back. Her heart had completely taken over her mind; the coup was over and done with. Her heart had won and her mind was out of the picture. Her mind could only listen to the commands of her heart and her heart only wanted Callie. A bell signalled they had arrived to their floor. They let go of each other. Callie quickly opened the door to her room and pulled Erica inside. The door was barely closed when she kissed her again. Clothes were torn from each other and soon they were naked on the bed, kissing each other passionately and making love. That night moans and cries of passion could be heard from Callie’s room.
The next morning Erica woke up a few minutes before they had to get up. She looked at the beauty lying next to her. She could wake up to this beautiful sight every morning for the rest of her life. She decided to enjoy these last minutes of quietness with Callie and snuggled closer to her. Just when she was about to fall asleep again, her cell phone woke them both up.
“Hey, beautiful”, she greeted the Latina woman.
Callie turned around and kissed her good morning.
“Hey”, Callie smiled.
“We have to get up, I promised Carlos you’d be on time for the first interview.”
“I know”, Callie groaned, “but can we just lay like this for a few more minutes before dashing outside into the madness that awaits me? I just want to enjoy you for a few minutes more.”
Erica’s answer to Callie’s question was to pull her closer and kiss her deeply. They stayed cuddled up for a little while longer.
“We really have to get up now”, Erica said.
“You’re right.”
They got up and got ready to face a day filled with interviews and photo shoots. After breakfast they met Carlos downstairs, in front of the conference room where the interviews would take place.
“Calliope, Erica, just on time. How are you? You slept well?” Carlos asked his two favourite ladies.
“We’re great, Carlos”, Callie smiled to her friend. Even though she had barely slept a few hours last night, she felt great. Making love to Erica half the night was definitely worth doing again, she mused.
Carlos looked at his friend. He hadn’t seen her smile like this in a long time. Her eyes were twinkling and she seemed genuinely happy again. Whatever had happened to her, it was good, he thought.
“Ready, Calliope?”
“As ready as I can be, I guess. The sooner I start, the quicker it will be over for today.”
Callie spent the rest of the day being interviewed by various magazines. She only took a short lunch break. Finally the last journalist had left.
“God, I thought the interviews would never end”, Callie groaned when the last journalist had left. She took a sip of her water. All the interviews had given her a sore throat. She looked over to the corner Erica was standing. It had been incredibly hard to stay focused on what the journalists were asking with Erica nearby. She was tempted to look at her all the time. She couldn’t wait until they were up in her room so that she could finally kiss her.
“You did well, Calliope. Tomorrow we have to be at the studio at 7am”, Carlos said.
“7am, Carlos?” Callie exclaimed.
“Yes, it is a morning show, you can’t show up at noon for a morning show. You’re lucky the studio is close to the hotel so we’ll meet in the lobby at 6:30am. Be ready and don’t be late.”
“No, Chief, I’ll be on time, Chief”, Callie joked. “I’ll see you tomorrow, Carlos.”
Carlos left the conference room. Callie looked over at Erica.
“Finally all these interviews are over.” Callie got up and went to Erica. “I missed you, even if you were standing only a few inches away from me.” She stopped just in front of Erica. Her heart started beating faster. She could only see Erica’s lips calling out to her “kiss me, kiss me”. Slowly she closed the distance between them and gave her a gentle kiss on her lips. “I’ve been wanting to do that since this morning.”
“Me too”, Erica answered, “but wouldn’t it be better if we continued this in our room? It wouldn’t look good if we’d get caught kissing in here.”
“You’re right.”
They didn’t leave their room that evening. They spent the evening further exploring each other’s body.
The next days were filled with more interviews for television and radio shows. Callie was starting to get very bored and she couldn’t wait until her first concert. That’s what she was here for, to sing, not to give endless interviews with always the same questions being asked.
Tomorrow she had a day off and she planned to fully enjoy it: sleeping in, doing a romantic walk with Erica, going shopping a bit. These last days with Erica had been wonderful. For the first time in her adult life, she felt at ease in a relationship. She didn’t have to pretend to be someone she wasn’t. She could just be herself, Erica didn’t judge her. The first thing she’d do when she was back in LA, was to break things up with Jason. She didn’t care what he threatened her with, but she loved Erica and not him. Erica was the one she wanted, the one whose touch she craved, the one she wanted to wake up to every morning. Maybe Erica was the one…
The next day found the two lovers curled up in bed together. They hadn’t spent a night apart since their date a couple of nights ago. They cherished the moments they could spend together. When they were in each other’s company, they forgot the world around them and only saw one another. It was love in its purest form.
Erica had stopped analyzing and fighting her feelings for Callie. She had tried to block out her feelings, but the more she tried doing that, the more she was drawn to Callie. So she simply gave up and welcomed Callie’s love with open arms. She figured she could deal with the consequences later if necessary.
“So, gorgeous, what do you want to do today? It’s your day off”, Erica asked her Latina lover.
“Stay in bed and make love to you all day?” Callie said while snuggling closer to Erica.
“We’ve been doing that these last evenings. Maybe we could get some fresh air. I can show you some nice spots, be your private tour guide”, Erica suggested.
“I like that, you being my private tour guide…” Callie smirked.
After they got dressed and had a late breakfast, they left the hotel. The weather was sunny and cold, so the perfect weather to put on a hat and sunglasses as a disguise. Callie didn’t want to be bothered by any paparazzi. Today she just wanted to be Callie and enjoy a day out with her girlfriend. For just one day she wished she wasn’t famous so that she and Erica could be like any other couple and hold hands and cuddle and kiss and do romantic things. But they couldn’t, not until Callie had broken things off with Jason. So they settled for walking closely together and holding arms now and then.
Erica showed Callie some of her favourite places in the city. Callie marvelled at all the hidden beauty Erica showed her. She had no idea New York was this beautiful. They ended the day with a romantic dinner. For both of them it had been a perfect day, a day they didn’t want to end. They had been able to escape the complexity of real life.
The ringing of Erica’s phone brought real life back to them. Erica flipped open her phone.
“Damn it”, she cursed. “Sorry, Cal, I have to take this call. I’ll be right back.” Erica excused herself.
“Agent Darnett, good evening”, she greeted her colleague. If he called, it must be that something had happened with Jason. She felt a knot forming in her stomach. And mostly that feeling didn’t bring any good.
“Agent Hahn, good evening. I’m calling concerning Jason Taylor. There’s been a development.”
“A development?” “Shit.”
“Yes. Like you predicted he went to Mexico again. He got in touch with Rodríguez himself, so I think they closed the deal and Jason is now working for them. Two of my agents followed him from a distance back to the States. Again like you predicted, he tried to break into Ms. Torres’ house, but they could prevent that without revealing themselves. They also watched a deal between Jason and some other smaller dealers. He’s probably one of the main suppliers now here in LA because of his connection to Rodríguez.”
“Damn it. Continue to follow him around and call me back if something happens. I’ll try to come back as soon as possible. I can’t just leave here, Callie might get suspicious. Thanks for updating me”, Erica said.
“Sure, no problem Agent Hahn.”
Erica put down her phone. The situation was getting out of hand fast. She’d have to make her move the moment she was back in LA, if it already wasn’t too late by then. Erica tried to calm herself before going back to Callie. Callie couldn’t know something was wrong.
“You okay?” Callie asked when Erica was back.
“Yes”, she lied, “just a phone call from an old colleague, nothing to worry about.”
She kissed Callie. “Let’s go to bed, you have a big day tomorrow, your last rehearsal before the show.”
“I know, I’m so excited, but a bit nervous as well too”, Callie confessed.
“You’ll do great, Cal.” She pulled Callie closer and soon they dozed off to sleep curled up together.